Elaborate Carpets Made of Unconventional Materials

Artists Marcia Nolte, Stijn van der Vleuten, and Bob Waardenburg, known as the collective WE MAKE CARPETS, design interesting floor displays that make convincing throw rugs from afar. Upon closer inspection, we can see that their creations are, in fact, an intricately patterned assembly of various unconventional materials–from disposable plastic utensils and cups of coffee to colorful sponges and a variety of chocolates.

The Netherlands-based trio’s “carpets” exhibit a mosaic-like collection of contemporary art alluding to the luxurious possessions of the wealthy. The dichotomy of opulence and ordinary materials presents an interesting criticism about consumerism while remaining lighthearted. If nothing else, they are an assortment of beautifully crafted installations with a keen, artistic eye for design.

If you’re someone who appreciates the value of creative gifts, we’ve got a great list for you of goods created by cutting edge artists, designers, and makers. The best part? Their creations are all available to purchase on Etsy! Here at My Modern Met, we’re big fans of Etsy. It’s a great source for discovering independent artists and supporting their craft.

Cartoonist Hugleikur Dagsson hilariously reinterprets the meaning of some of the world’s most popular songs. Ranging from timeless Christmas carols to chart-topping hits, the Icelandic artist uses them as inspiration for his deceptively simple-yet-clever line drawings. As a result, their biting wit puts a whole new spin on the melodies we thought we knew. These one-panel cartoons are ripe with parody. Dagsson takes a snippet of a song—such as its title—and builds a whole stick-figure world around it.